Gareth A Davies has been a sports journalist for The Daily Telegraph since 1993. He is Boxing and MMA Correspondent. Has been intrigued by fight and combat sports from a young age. Personal sporting passions are rugby, cricket, and martial arts. Also covers the Paralympic Games. Hates getting his hair cut. Follow on Twitter @GarethADaviesDT

An eye injury has forced Michael Bisping out of the Manchester UFC bout.

The British middleweight contender Michael Bisping has had to pull out of the UFC Fight Night Manchester event on October 26 where he was due to fight the American Mark Munoz.

Bisping will be replaced by former light-heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida.

“I am devastated for everyone who bought tickets to see me fight Munoz. I am so sorry for the fans, I really am. I am disappointed for myself too, but my first thoughts are with the fans who have made sacrifices to come and see me in Manchester, said Bisping.

"I can only apologise to them, and to the UFC. I have been training so hard for this fight, that I just cannot believe I will not step into the Octagon in Manchester. But I promise my fans I will be back real soon."

“It will still be a great night for the UFC fight fans as Lyoto Machida will take my place. So go to the Phone4U Arena and still have a great time.”

Bisping is hoping he will be able to come over the Manchester as a guest fighter and says he is "looking forward to meeting the fans and shake their hands" and supporting other "British fighters in the card".

Bisping recently underwent eye surgery for a detached retina, with his eye-ball removed for surgery.

Machida is making his middleweight debut after a career fighting at light heavyweight. Machida had been scheduled to fight ex-Strikeforce fighter Tim Kennedy in the main event of UFC Fight for the Troops 3 in November.